[calabres]

Hi all

A very common opening as 2♦ Multi is played in diferent ways:

- Some pairs use only as a weak opening 6 cards ♥ or ♠
- Others add a possible balanced hand 20/21 or more usualy 22/23.
- Some partnerships add the possibility of a strong hand in any minor.

I realize that on BBO, specialy beginner and intermediate players had lots of dificulty to make a defense against this kind of opening.

I leave here my sugested defense:

2nd position:

DBL = 13/15 or 19+
2NT = 16/18 bal
2♥/♠ = short (Promises min 4 c. in other Major
3 x = natural

4th position:

Over 2♥ = DBL » opening with ♥s
Over 2♠ = DBL » opening with ♠s
Over any = 3♣ is overcall, short in bided suit
2NT = 16/18 bal
( If ptn x in 2nd…2NT is LEB )

6th position:

2NT = Minors
3♣/♦ = ♣/♦ + Other Major

I hope this can help. Other sugestions wellcome.

[paulg]

Chris Ryall provides a number of defences on his excellent web site.

[inquiry]

This is a very useful site. I am particularily fond of the defense entitled multi-verus-multi, which gets its own webpage.

The link above has complete details (including follow up auctions), but the gist of this defense is that a "double" of 2♦ is itself multi-color and can be any of the following hands....

• An opening hand with 5+ ♥'s
  
• An opening bid in spades as above
  
• A big balanced hand (range suggested is 19 - poor 22 point)
  
• 19+ three suited hand

Note: major one suiter or big big balanced hand in with the double is very similar to the type of hands the 2♦ opener can hold (except the major is in an opening hand instead of weak). Some even include the strong 3 suiter in the mix of multi-2♦ openers.

This leaves other bids as....

2♥ = balanced hand less than 19 (goodish 15 up to a crappy 19)
2♠ = transfer to 3♣ and not weak. Partner can bid 3♣ with weak hand, or 2NT as having some interest in going higher
2NT = transfer to 3♦, and again 3♣ is a relay with advancer having interest in going higher).

With the transfer bids to 3♣ and 3♦ available, this free's up an immediate overcall of 3♣ and 3♦ to be preempts before they have even found out if they have a fit or not and without overly exciting advancer.

[jtfanclub]

I don't get to play against it much...

What I really want is a system where:

2nd seat X: 12-18 hcp, intending to pass 2nd time around (no penalty X of either major).
2nd seat pass 1st time, X the second time: Penalty.

That gives both hands a chance to X for penalties, and gives 4th hand enough knowledge of 2nd hand's strength to X for penalties relatively lightly.

Anybody know of such a system?

(Yes, I do play Fishbein. Why do you ask?)

[cnszsun]

I once asked for the simple defence to multi 2♦ at http://forums.bridge...showtopic=17705.

I'm interested to know more about your method.
1)

Quote

2nd position:

DBL = 13/15 or 19+
2NT = 16/18 bal
2♥/♠ = short (Promises min 4 c. in other Major
3 x = natural

If 2♥/2♠ is not natural, how do you show a 5 cards major opening hand?

2)

Quote

4th position:

Over 2♥ = DBL » opening with ♥s
Over 2♠ = DBL » opening with ♠s
Over any = 3♣ is overcall, short in bided suit
2NT = 16/18 bal
( If ptn x in 2nd…2NT is LEB )

Some will play double of 2♥/2♠ as takeout, what's the advantage?

[calabres]

Michael

As shown, when you have in 2nd seat a good hand with 5 cards, you just bid at level 3.

About second question I just put here the defense I play, of course others available, depending what you agree with your partner.

Regards